Logistics

Closest Airport:

Pittsburgh International Airport (airport code PIT). Don’t forget to check flights on Southwest if that is an option!

How Do I Get To Oglebay?

Rent a car. The car rental is on-site at the Pittsburgh Airport. It is easy to get to and from your car. There is also a gas station on the airport grounds that charges “the going rate.” They don’t gauge you at all. It’s the closest and easiest gas station to use if you rent a car.
If you do rent a car, please, please, please call or email Patrick McNellis before you begin your adventure. If you rely on your GPS, you may possibly be adding an extra hour or two to your trip. It is luck of the draw if you choose to rely solely on your GPS.
Click here for a list of transportation companies that offer service for the one hour drive from the Pittsburgh Airport to Oglebay.

Timing/Schedule considerations

Out of town participants should arrive on Tuesday, the day before the Institute begins. Oglebay is a beautiful place with many things to do so we recommend getting there as early as possible!
Days 1 & 2 begin at 7:30 with a continental breakfast. The instruction begins promptly at 8:00 and goes until 5:30 pm.
Day 3 has the same start time but ends at 1:00 pm with lunch following. It’s usually a fast lunch so if you are scheduling a limo to pick you up, I’d suggest, depending on how fast you eat, to schedule the limo/cab for around 1:45-2:00 pm.
It is pretty quick and easy to get in and out of the Pittsburgh Airport. Not as quick and easy as Bismark, ND but no where near as complicated as Chicago O’Hare. I personally arrive about an hour and 10 minutes before my scheduled departure.
Pittsburgh has two security check points. One is obvious and usually has a line. If there looks to be a longer line, ask about the “alternate security checkpoint.” The first time I found this I couldn’t believe my luck!
Dinners are on your own. Oglebay serves great food…especially their gourmet pizzas…and most groups meet around 7:00 pm if they like each other and want to dine together. There is a formal and a not-so-formal dining room. I suggest the “lounge” (i.e. the not so formal restaurant).

Making your room reservation at Oglebay

Contact Oglebay directly at 800-624-6988.
Ask for the “McNellis Compression Planning Package” which includes 3 Nights lodging, 3 all day breaks and 3 continental breakfasts as well as lunch (3) on each day. (tax not included)
Choose one of the following options for McNellis Package rooms (does not include city/hotel tax)

If you are a non-profit that is exempt from some of the taxes, please let them know when you are making your reservation!
For more information on Oglebay, click here.

What should I wear?

Business casual. Dress comfortably. You will be moving around A LOT.
If you tend to get cold, please bring an extra “layer.” The rooms tend to be on the colder side so please come prepared!

Do I need to bring anything?

A pen.
Consider bringing a camera. It’s not uncommon for people to want to “capture and copy” something they see someone else developing and working on.
A sweater…or a sweatshirt…or whatever a “layer” means to you. See the above question for more details.
Walking/running shoes. The resort has a nice exercise room, a pool and a jacuzzi. They also have many, many miles of beautiful walking/jogging/running trails for you to explore.

What should I NOT bring?

A laptop. Just a suggestion! Consider leaving it in your room for day one and if you feel you need it, then bring it on days two and three.
A cellphone. Did you laugh? Again, just a suggestion. I know everyone will bring their cell phone. We give plenty of breaks to “catch up on work” but the absolute ideal is to be “freed up” to just learn Compression Planning.

If you are wondering about anything else that I may have forgotten to include on this page, please send an email to pat@compressionplanning.com.